Pneumatic cable ejector

ABSTRACT

A system for removing a connecting cable from a torpedo at the time of applying an electrical firing pulse is provided. Compressed CO2 is applied through a solenoid-operated gas valve to a plug connecting the cable to the torpedo, providing the force for ejecting the cable plug from the torpedo. A time delay circuit preferably is connected in series with the solenoid valve to insure that the torpedo receives the firing pulse before the plug is ejected.

Unite States atet inventor Donald H. Wrathall Portsmouth, RJ.

Appl. No. 39,675

Filed May 20, 1970 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Assignee The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy PNEUMATIC CABLE EJECTOR 2 Clalms, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 200/51 R,

89/i.8l l, 339/45 Int. Cl HOlr 33/30 Field oi Search 339/45 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,195,097 7/1965 McLain 339/45 R 3,249,012 5/1966 Clicker, .Ir. 339/45 M 3,277,420 lO/l966 Council 339/45 R 3,452,316 6/1969 Panek et al. 339/45 M Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr. Attorneys-R. S. Sciascia, L. l. Shrago and C. E. Vautrain, .Ir.

ABSTRACT: A system for removing a connecting cable from a torpedo at the time of applying an electrical firing pulse is provided. Compressed CO, is applied through a solenoidoperated gas valve to a plug connecting the cable to the tor.- pedo, providing the force for ejecting the cable plug from the torpedo. A time delay circuit preferably is connected in series with the solenoid valve to insure that the torpedo receives the firing pulse before the plug is ejected.

PATENTED UEBI 4 IBTI INVENTOR Zia/W240 W/PH r/mu.

PNEUMATIC CABLE EJECTOR.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to means for removing a female insert from a male receptacle and, more particularly, to the delayed application of gas pressure to effect such removal after a pulse has been transmitted through the receptacle.

In the procedure of torpedo launching by gravity, it has long been the custom to employ a two-man launching crew, one man applying the firing pulse to actuate torpedo circuits and start the torpedo motor and the other man in close sequence physically removing the cable plug from the torpedo socket. The first man then again in close sequence releases the vehicle from the launching rack. This procedure not only requires a two-man firing crew and a three-step sequence but introduces an unsafe condition in that the man removing the plug is positioned sufficiently close to the torpedo propellers to possibly be injured by them after they have begun to turn. The present invention avoids the disadvantages of existing gravity-launch torpedo methods by providing a cable disconnect system utilizing compressed gas which requires but a single man, simplifies the launching procedure and eliminates a hazard inherent in presently used systems.

The sole operator in the present launching system first actuates a single switch which is positioned well clear of the torpedo propellers and thereafter releases the torpedo from the launching rack either by operating a release lever or actuating a switch which controls a release mechanism. A time delay circuit preferably is placed in series between the cable disconnect switch and a solenoid valve controlling release of compressed C until a firing pulse has been conducted to the torpedo. The compressed CO upon release enters the disconnect plug cavity in the torpedo through passages in the plug, forcing the plug and pins secured thereto out ofthe torpedo.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to pro vide an improved system for the'launching by gravity of torpedoes which requires only one operator who may be positioned a selected safe distance from the torpedo launching rack.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a gravitylaunch torpedo system means for delaying ejection of the plug connector until a firing pulse has been transmitted to the torpedo.

A further object of this invention is to provide a compressed gas cable disconnect system for initiating torpedo launchings by gravity including a delayed release of gas until after torpedo circuits have been actuated.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numeral represent like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevation view mainly in cross section of the plug and receptacle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the ejection system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the ejection system of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. I, there is shown one embodiment of the present invention installed in a torpedo 11, the torpedo having a cavity 12 therein adapted to receive an ejectable plug 13. The plug is preferably made of a suitable metal and includes a removable disc 16 which is secured therein by a retaining ring 17, cavity 12 being sealed by an O-ring 18. Disc 16 forms a chamber I9 within plug 13 and defines a space 20 between disc l6 and torpedo ll. Plug 13 is provided with openings to receive a cable 21 and a nipple 22 in sealed relationship, an epoxy seal 23 being formed about cable 21 and threads providing the seal about nipple 22. Cable 21 includes a plurality of circuit leads 25 which are connected to terminal pins 26 inserted through passages 27 in disc. 16. The passages not occupied by pins provide for communication betweenchamber 19 and space Compressed gas. 28 is introduced into chamber 19 through pressure hose 29 and hose coupling 30.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate systems incorporating the invention, that of FIG. 2 providing simultaneous actuating of torpedo circuits and ejection of plug 13 and that of FIG. 3 delaying plug ejection a fraction of a second after the torpedo circuits have been actuated. In FIG. 2, a firing box 35 is shown having a negative voltage supply at terminal 36 which is connected to a coupling 37 by leads 38 through a switch 41. A solenoid valve actuator 42 is connected in parallel with leads 38 by connectors 43, actuator 42 actuating a solenoid valve which releases compressed gas through hose 46 from C0: bottle 47. In FIG. 3, a firing box 50 contains a terminal 51 at negative potential which is connected to a coupling 52 by leads 53 through a switch 54. Connectors 56 are connected in parallel with leads 53 and extend to a solenoid valve actuator 57 which actuates a solenoid valve 58. A C0, cartridge 60 is coupled into solenoid 58 and armed by an arming lever 61. The time delay circuit in this embodiment includes a capacitor 65 in series with a resistor 66, the emitter electrode of a dual base transistor 67 being connected intermediate the capacitor and resistor. One base electrode of transistor 67 is connected to a resistor in parallel with capacitor 65 while the other base electrode is connected to a resistor 69 in parallel with resistor 66. A rectifier 70 is included having its cathode connected in parallel across resistor 68 and its anode connected to valve actuator 57 and a resistor 71 which is connected in parallel with resistor 69. Circuit 55 is grounded as indicated at 72. The following components of circuit 55 are used in this embodiment of the invention to provide a time delay of substantially 100 milliseconds:

C65 0.47 r. as v. oc R66 220 m u w T67 2N2646 R68 43 n v. w

R69 47011 m R70 2Nl545 R7l l Kl] n w R73 IS in z w The foregoing components, of course, may be replaced by other elements which would either provide a similar time delay or a different time delay according to the circumstances to be met.

The operation of the device is apparent from the figures: however, it should be noted that when connecting the systems of FIG. 2 to a torpedo 11 there is a possibility that plug 13 may be ejected slightly in advance of the firing pulse transmitted to the torpedo. In such an event, the firing pulse may not be delivered and the plug would then be removed without having actuated the torpedo circuits. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is applicable where long leads such as those indicated at 26 are inserted in the torpedo since any accidental delay of the firing pulse would be ordinarily of microseconds length in time; and, in such a short instant, pins 26 ordinarily would not be fully removed from their sockets in torpedo 11. Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 2 has application where very short time delays may be accepted.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is specifically adapted to provide any desired time delay between the transmission of the firing pulse to the torpedo and actuation of the solenoid valve.

Where either embodiment is used, the actual removal of plug 13 is accomplished by pressurized CO gas being admitted through tube 29 into chamber 28 and then through open passages 27 into space 20 between disc 16 and the torpedo. Since a greater area is exposed to the same pressure of gas on the inboard surface of disc l6 than the area on the outboard surface thereof, a selected greater pressure is applied against the inboard surface to provide the pressure differential necessary to eject plug 13. This pressure differential may be varied by either increasing the inboard surface of disc 16 in relation to the outboard surface thereof or by tapering the openings at the outboard surface, thereby reducing the transverse surface against which pressure is directly exerted. ln either event, the ejection pressure is predetermined and the plug and its components are then adapted to provide such pressure. It will thus be appreciated that the ejectable plug may take other forms than that disclosed.

The plug of the present invention provides a safe and reliable means for ejecting the electrical conductors by which a torpedo is connected to external power sources immediately prior to being gravity launched. The present system replaces an antiquated operation whereby one operator applied a firing pulse to the torpedo by throwing an appropriate switch while a second operator grasped one end of the electrical cable connected to the torpedo and either pulled the plug from the torpedo socket or applied foot pressure across a slack portion of the cable to exert a force for removing the plug. With the present invention, the single operator may be positioned any desired distance from the torpedo and simply by closing either switch 41 or switch 54 cause a safe and effective removal of plug 13. The present invention is further advantageous in that there is substantially no damage done to plug 13 during removal, and, therefore, the plug and its cable may be reused indefinitely. This is in contrast to the prior muscle" method whereby a plug being physically removed by pulling on the cable must necessarily sustain some significant degree of damage.

What is claimed is:

1. A compressed air cable plug disconnect means comprismg:

a hollow plug of rigid material removably received in sealed relationship in a mating opening in an object to be electrically connected and disconnected;

a source of compressed gas and a pressure hose connected thereto and to said plug,

said plug having a flange to facilitate seating in said object at one end and a closure disc secured at the opposite end,

said disc and the inserted end of said plug spaced selected distances from the adjacent surface of said opening in said object when said plug is inserted in said opening,

said disc forming a chamber in said plug and having a plurality of passages communicating between said chamber and the space between said disc and said object;

a cable inserted in sealed relationship in the outer flanged end of said plug and containing a plurality of connectors each connected by a respective pin to respective circuits in said object, said pins occupying some of the passages in said disc and removably terminating in terminals in said object;

means for admitting compressed gas into said plug, said means including control means for controlling admission of gas;

means connected to said connectors for actuating circuits in said object, said disc and said plug configured to provide a pressure differential ejecting said plug upon admission of compressed gas into said chamber; and

switch means connected to said circuit actuating means and said control means for substantially simultaneously actuating circuits in said object and ejecting said plug.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 and further including a time delay means inserted intermediate said control means and said switch means for delaying admission of compressed gas into said plenum a selected interval after the circuits in said object have been actuated. 

1. A compressed air cable plug disconnect means comprising: a hollow plug of rigid material removably received in sealed relationship in a mating opening in an object to be electrically connected and disconnected; a source of compressed gas and a pressure hose connected thereto and to said plug, said plug having a flange to facilitate seating in said object at one end and a closure disc secured at the opposite end, said disc and the inserted end of said plug spaced selected distances from the adjacent surface of said opening in said object when said plug is inserted in said opening, said disc forming a chamber in said plug and having a plurality of passages communicating between said chamber and the space between said disc and said object; a cable inserted in sealed relationship in the outer flanged end of said plug and containing a plurality of connectors each connected by a respective pin to respective circuits in said object, said pins occupying some of the passages in said disc and removably terminating in terminals in said object; means for admitting compressed gas into said plug, said means including control means for controlling admission of Gas; means connected to said connectors for actuating circuits in said object, said disc and said plug configured to provide a pressure differential ejecting said plug upon admission of compressed gas into said chamber; and switch means connected to said circuit actuating means and said control means for substantially simultaneously actuating circuits in said object and ejecting said plug.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1 and further including a time delay means inserted intermediate said control means and said switch means for delaying admission of compressed gas into said plenum a selected interval after the circuits in said object have been actuated. 